The activation and integration of national resilience capabilities was a key strength of the response. Specialist assets, including high volume pumps, drones and aviation support, were mobilised effectively, demonstrating the Service’s ability to scale its response in proportion to increasing complexity. Debrief findings confirm that the timely deployment of national assets, supported by infrastructure such as the Strategic Holding Area, was critical in sustaining operations at scale.

Escalation decisions reflected a proportionate and risk based approach. Up to 25 August, the incident was successfully managed using NYFRS resources supported by mutual aid, ensuring that national capabilities were not deployed prematurely. This approach aligned with the evolving risk profile and supported sustainability of response.

Following a significant change in fire behaviour on 25 August, operational demand and incident duration increased rapidly. At this point, the deployment of National Resilience assets became necessary to sustain effective incident management, including maintaining crew welfare through rest and recuperation, while retaining control of what developed into one of the largest and most complex wildfire incidents experienced by the Service.

These arrangements were enabled through the National Coordination and Advisory Framework (NCAF), which provided a clear and consistent mechanism for the request, prioritisation and deployment of national resources. This ensured that capability was aligned to national risk and demand, while maintaining effective oversight and coordination.

Specialist advisory support also formed an important component of the response. NYFRS’s Wildfire Tactical Advisor was mobilised early, providing on scene expertise and structured SMEAC briefings that supported confident decision making. Initial reliance on a single advisor did, however, highlight a limitation in capacity, with additional national Wildfire Tactical Advisor support not immediately available due to seasonal pressures. This was resolved within a short period but identifies a need to strengthen resilience within specialist advisory arrangements.

The incident also reinforces that the national approach to wildfire response continues to evolve. Through the National Fire Chiefs Council, work is ongoing to develop enhanced specialist wildfire teams. NYFRS supports this direction and will contribute learning from this incident to inform future development, recognising the operational value of more readily deployable specialist capability to strengthen national resilience in response to increasingly complex wildfire incidents.

What Worked Well
• Effective activation and integration of national resilience capabilities through
National Coordination and Advisory Framework (NCAF)
• Proportionate and well-judged escalation aligned to incident complexity
• Rapid mobilisation of specialist assets, including HVP, drones and aviation
support
• Early deployment and effective use of Wildfire Tactical Advisor (WTA)
capability

Learning Opportunities
• Recommend increasing WTAs on the national framework
• Continue to support national wildfire capability development, with the aim
of positioning North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service as a credible and
deployable resource for future national wildfire mobilisation